Dissecting Dusty

[elagache]

Dear Barb, Good Dr., and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Thanks for the radiator photo.  Dusty has a mechanically driven fan with a fan clutch.  A more recent design, but a genuine improvement.  I made the change to Biquette in 1980s I think.  Is there any way you could take a photo with a wider view?  I'm curious if Dusty has a cross-flow or down-flow radiator.  Both designs were used in 1965, but the cross-flow is more common.

Carburetor is Elderbrook 600 cm manual chocke.

Okay that is the Edelbrock Performer carburetor which is the same one Biquette briefly had from the Summer of 2010 until she was hit and out put of action in November of that year.  How do you like it?  I found this carburetor to idle too fast when starting cold, but I'm now thinking perhaps this was because the engine was already experiencing valve-train problems so a higher fast-idle was needed to get reliable starting.  It is supposedly based on the same Carter AFB carburetor that Biquette and Dusty were 'born" with.

One modest correction.  Dusty's carburetor has the electric choke.  I'm sure you would much prefer that to a manual choke.

1366695 = 65 4bbl 300 intake casting from teambuick reference section.

Okay that strongly suggests that this is Dusty's original 1965 factory engine.

The Team Buick reference section is full of useful information:

https://www.teambuick.com/reference/index.php

Keep posting those pictures of Dusty!  We never stop being curious!

Cheers, Edouard

[WkillGS]

If you want to get the correct air cleaner decal, the 300 4bbl engine was referred to as the 'Wildcat 355'. The 300 3 bbl version was the 'Wildcat 310'. Both names refer to the torque rating of the engine.
The 4 bbl engine also had a higher compression ratio compared to the 2bbl 300. Likely requires premium gas.

[elagache]

Dear Barb, Walt, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

The 4 bbl engine also had a higher compression ratio compared to the 2bbl 300. Likely requires premium gas.

Oops, that reminds me of another chapter in Biquette's history.  These cars were intended to be filled with leaded gasoline.  The compound including lead increased the octane of the gasoline which allowed for a higher compression ratio.  That in turn made the engines more powerful and efficient.  It also softened the force of gasoline detonating.  By 1979 when Biquette's engine was first rebuild, leaded gasoline was headed toward extinction.  So when the engine was rebuilt, we had the valve seats hardened and had the compression ratio reduced so that she could run fine on regular unleaded gasoline.

Do you know if anything like this has been done on Dusty's engine?  If the engine is still in its 1965 factory condition, you should indeed use premium gasoline and probably should add some of these lead substitute additives to protect the valve seats.  If the engine has been rebuilt, mostly likely the changes to run on unleaded gasoline will have been made and Dusty should be fine.

Sorry, lots of things to look after with these classic cars!

Cheers, Edouard

[Barb69]

Dear Barb, Walt, and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

The 4 bbl engine also had a higher compression ratio compared to the 2bbl 300. Likely requires premium gas.

Oops, that reminds me of another chapter in Biquette's history.  These cars were intended to be filled with leaded gasoline.  The compound including lead increased the octane of the gasoline which allowed for a higher compression ratio.  That in turn made the engines more powerful and efficient.  It also softened the force of gasoline detonating.  By 1979 when Biquette's engine was first rebuild, leaded gasoline was headed toward extinction.  So when the engine was rebuilt, we had the valve seats hardened and had the compression ratio reduced so that she could run fine on regular unleaded gasoline.

Do you know if anything like this has been done on Dusty's engine?  If the engine is still in its 1965 factory condition, you should indeed use premium gasoline and probably should add some of these lead substitute additives to protect the valve seats.  If the engine has been rebuilt, mostly likely the changes to run on unleaded gasoline will have been made and Dusty should be fine.

Sorry, lots of things to look after with these classic cars!

Cheers, Edouard

Only Premium used on Dusty. I do not know how much a gallon goes for out there, in Texas $2.47. I guess I had not paid attention to my gas tank size. Next time I fill up I figure that out.

kicking Dust.

[Barb69]

If you want to get the correct air cleaner decal, the 300 4bbl engine was referred to as the 'Wildcat 355'. The 300 3 bbl version was the 'Wildcat 310'. Both names refer to the torque rating of the engine.
The 4 bbl engine also had a higher compression ratio compared to the 2bbl 300. Likely requires premium gas.

He has the wrong decal.

kicking Dust.

[elagache]

Dear Barb and mid-60s Buick caregivers,

Only Premium used on Dusty.

Okay, but that might not be what Dusty needs.  If Dusty's engine has never been rebuilt you really need to be adding a leaded gasoline replacement additive.  Otherwise, you might be damaging Dusty's valves.  Trust me, you don't want to be doing that! 

I do not know how much a gallon goes for out there, in Texas $2.47.

. . . What is the price of premium in California?  Oh that's easy!  If you have to ask, you can't afford it! . . . .

I guess I had not paid attention to my gas tank size. Next time I fill up I figure that out.

Dusty should have the same standard 20 gallon gas tank that was used on a number of GM models from the time.  Biquette current gas tank is supposedly for an El Camino, but it fits perfectly.  Of course I have put more over 21 gallons into that tank.  I don't know if it was a miracle  or I was cheated! 

Just another day in . . .  paradise ?!?!??? . . . . 

Cheers, Edouard